Kingdom of Wolaita
Kingdom of Wolaita, also known as Wolaita Kingdom, was a kingdom dominated by Wolayta people in southern Ethiopia from 1251 until conquest of Ethiopian Empire in 1894.
Kingdom of Wolaita | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| c.1251–1894 | |||||||||
| Capital | Lasho, Dalbo, Sodo | ||||||||
| Common languages | Wolayita | ||||||||
| Religion | Officially Christianity[1] | ||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||
| Kawo (transl. Majesty or King) | |||||||||
• 1251–1298 (first) | Motolomi Sato | ||||||||
• 1890–1894 (last) | Kawo Tona Gaga | ||||||||
| Historical era | Middle Ages to Early modern period | ||||||||
• Wolaita Malla Dynasty | c.1251 | ||||||||
• Annexed by Ethiopian Empire | 1894 | ||||||||
| Currency | Marchuwa | ||||||||
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| Today part of | Ethiopia | ||||||||
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History
Historically and prior to its incorporation to Ethiopia, it is believed that the kingdom of Wolaita and its people had administrative areas extending till the Rudolf River in the northern and southern Shewa or the northern part of Ethiopia’s current land mass.[2]
Currency
In the early days of the trade, cotton thread known as shalwa was used as a currency before it was replaced by iron currency known as marchuwa. Shalwa and marchuwa as a currency were used not only in Wolaita, but also among the societies that settled along this trade rout as well.
Conflicts
The Kingdom of Wolaita took part in a war between Atse Libne Dingel and the Gragn Ahmed. Kawo Tona Gaga, the last king of the Wolaita kingdom was believed to be one of the greatest warriors and most powerful king of Wolaita. His army defeated King Menelik's forces six times before losing to the combined forces of Menelik and Abba Jiffar in 1896. At the final battle, he was wounded and captured.
Rulers
Wolaita Kingdom had different dynasties and as well there was different rulers ruled the kingdom from their respective dynasty. The rulers used the title "Kawo" as official title.
See also
References
- "Religin of Wolaita Kingdom". www.allaboutethio.com.
- Berhe, Solomon (June 2018). "The Kingdom of Wolaita (Ethiopia): Military Organization and War, To 1894" (PDF). Galore International Journal of Applied Sciences and Humanities. Volume 2: 1–10.
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